Firebirds soar to 74 - 40 Homecoming win over Cheyney

Washington, DC: November 20, 2010 – Senior forward Lillian McGill (Admin. Of Justice – Sumter, SC ) had her third double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds pacing the Lady Firebirds (2-1) to a 74-40 win over the Cheyney University Wolves (1-2).

The win was the second of the season for the Firebirds at home. Joining McGill in recording double-digit points were junior guard Kendra Johnson (Mass media – Mt. Laurel, NJ)  and graduate student forward Niqky Hughes (Public Administration – Fort Worth, TX), each with 12 points. Junior guard Jamilia Bonner (Accounting – Mobile, AL) had 11 points on 4 of 8 shooting from the field.

Though the final score may indicate otherwise, it was a tightly contested game in the first half, with the Firebirds only up 29 – 20 at the break. The Firebirds started the second half on a 13 – 3 run, which broke the game open at 42 – 23.

It was the Firebirds’ defense that helped to fuel the second half run, as they forced 22 turnovers in the half and 41 overall in the game. As a result of all the turnovers forced, UDC outscored the Wolves in points off turnovers 21 – 5 in the second half, and 38-7 for the entire game. UDC also outscored Cheyney 42 – 16 in the paint for the game.

Junior forward Nadirah Brown and junior guard Kyra McGriff led the way for the Wolves, each collecting 11 points. Brown also had a game-high 14 rebounds.

The Firebirds next play Sunday, November 21, at 3:00pm against the St. Paul’s College Tigers in the final game of the 2010 Homecoming Thanksgiving Classic. The game can be heard live by clicking on the audio link.